When we think of Wankel rotary engines, usually what comes to mind are sporty coupes, compact econoboxes, (or perhaps mini-pickups, if you’re particular twisted). But there was a time that the Torqueless Wonder was considered a viable means of propelling a crew of four or more, with vier Türen or shi doa. Today, your trilemma is to sort through how you’d employ three such cars.

1967 NSU Ro80 – From the earliest adopter and first champion of the Wankel engine, the Ro80 has timeless elegance, disc brakes and independent suspension all around, and a funky auto-clutch. And probably a trio of worn-out apex seals.

1982 Mazda Cosmo Turbo – Long after NSU went belly-up and Audi had given up on rotaries, Mazda kept the Holy Church of the Wobbling Triangle alive. Stuffing a turbocharged 12A good for 163 horsepower under the hood of an HB Cosmo/929 sedan was a remarkable sign of their passion, to say the least.

2009 Mazda RX8 – This one is really a sports coupe, but it barely slides into 4-door territory thanks to its two rear slave doors. People either love or hate the RX8, but proves that a Wankel engine really can work well in a modern car. Until it doesn’t.

You say you prefer POCKITA-POCKITA to HMMMMMM and two doors versus four? Too bad, those aren’t your choices today. You are restricted to these three. Which would you choose to:

DAILY – have as your sole street-registered car, for all your commuting and general transportation needs.

RESTORE – do a museum-quality, factory-correct, frame-off restoration, then add to your collection, but not register to drive on the street.

Your choices should be accompanied by your persuasive justification, or at the very least which choice you felt most strongly about. As always, more caveats (there are always caveats) appear after the jump.

Caveats:

Assume that you’re given these three vehicles outright, so there’s no acquisition cost, but the cost of race-prepping, maintaining, insuring and restoring them will be on you.

Assume the cars are in “average condition” for their age; neither junk nor in flawless condition.

These are your ONLY three cars. You cannot factor in any other cars you might actually own, e.g., “I’ll daily the MR2 because I have a van I can take the kids in…” Likewise, you can’t sell the restored car to buy another vehicle.

You must assign one of the cars to each category. You can’t say, “I’ll race my street car,” or “I’ll drive that one for a season then restore it.”

You can’t half-ass a car you don’t like, such as theoretically racing Lemons or doing a “20-footer” cosmetic restoration.

Exactly – but for the slightly different reasons:
RX8 still has an aftermarket for tuning and proper tires.
The NSU has had its peak as a collectors’ item, and is only a good looking curiosity (and hence perfect as a DD), whereas the Cosmo is still awaiting a JDM/80ies nostalgia wave, so restoring and preserving it might turn over some appreciation.

Daily NSU because I want the whole world to admire my weirdness.
Race uncool generation Cosmo because I am a shitty driver and sure to crash it.
Restore RX-8 because I’m not particularly fond of them nor of museum pieces.

ptschett

Daily the RX8. (After an LS swap. YOU’RE NOT MY ENGINE SUPERVISOR!)
Race the other Mazda and restore the NSU… I guess… if I must.

outback_ute

My thoughts exactly. I’m sure the RX8 would be much nicer to daily than the older Mazda. I knew a guy with a 929 turbo coupe with an engine built by a guy who raced rotaries, and it was faster than most things on the road (eg Porsches) in the mid 80s, so these have potential.

Sjalabais

The Cosmo hits my design nerve pretty spot on, so I’d like to see it every day. The NSU is a really nice car, too, so why not race it? The RX8…not sure what to do with such a “new” vehicle. Also, I’d probably hurt myself with something that is actually fast. Stow it away.

crank_case

The RX8 is a car I doubt would get you into trouble. As for what to do with it… well if I had the cash…

Race the NSU, assuming I can take it to the Carrera Panamerica.
Daily the Mazda, and restore the Mazda.

SlowJoeCrow

Race the RX-8 as the logical track car, restore the Cosmo for rarity and weirdness, daily the Ro80 as a restomod with a Mazda rotary to deal with the tip seal failure issue and uprated running gear, working air conditioner etc.

For sure daily the NSU. Always wanted one but could never find one in drivable condition, much like my search for a DS. But then I would have to explain to the rubes when they asked “what the hell is that dang deal?”. Race the RX8 for the same reason as naoop. Restore the Cosmo because I like the name Cosmo.